Note 104 — 1797.
Reading edition
A copy of the document is subjoined:—
Plymouth Lines, 31st May, 1797.
We, the
Non-commissioned Officers
Of the Company of Royal Military
Artificers and Labourers,
Stationed at Plymouth Lines,
Come forward at the unanimous request of the Company, to avow at this momentous crisis, our firm loyalty, attachment, and fidelity to our most gracious Sovereign and our Country, and solemnly declare our firm determination to maintain subordination and discipline to our officers, with whom we have every reason to be fully satisfied, and request they will accept these, our most grateful acknowledgments for their humane attention towards us, and beg they will let this our determination be made known to the Right Honourable General Lord George Henry Lennox, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in this district.
That, as we learn, there are men endeavouring to withdraw His Majesty’s soldiers from the duty they owe to their King and Country, we are determined should any such proceedings appear amongst us, to take the earliest opportunity of checking the same; and, as a mark of our attachment to our most gracious Sovereign and glorious Constitution, we do hereby offer a reward of
Ten Guineas,
to any soldier-artificer, that will discover any person, or persons, offering them money, seditious handbills, or otherwise, with an intent to withdraw them from their duty, on conviction of the person, or persons, before a civil magistrate.
God save the King!
Witness our hands,
(Signed) Wm. Browne, Sergeant-major.
Robt. Wakeham, Wm. Burgess, Jas. Moir, } Sergeants.
Jno. Evelyn, Wm. Hutton, Wm. McBeath, } Corporals.
Wm. Cottey, Josh. Wells, Wm. Beer. } Lance-corporals.